Ciena

R&D Optical Product Ramp Engineer

Ciena$74K — $118K *
Telecommunications & Hardware
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in EE, Computer Engineering, Physics or equivalent.
  • 2-5 years of experience in hardware or telecommunications engineering.
  • Familiarity with product lifecycle stages from development to end-of-life.
  • Proficiency in statistical analysis techniques for manufacturing yield improvement.
  • Experience using programming tools like Python or MATLAB for data analysis.
  • Hands-on lab experience interpreting various test results.
  • Strong communication skills for technical findings presentation.

Responsibilities

  • Support product ramp and sustaining activities focusing on yield improvements.
  • Perform hardware and optical debug to identify root causes of failures.
  • Review manufacturing and test data to analyze and improve yield.
  • Plan and manage changes in design or processes to enhance product quality.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve technical issues.
  • Document data analysis and findings clearly for stakeholders.
  • Ensure timely closure of corrective actions based on analysis.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision plans.
  • 401(K) with company matching (USA) and DCPP (Canada).
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Company-paid holidays and paid sick leave.
Full Job Description
Reporting to a Senior Manager, Hardware Engineering, you will work alongside experienced hardware, optical, firmware, reliability, manufacturing, and test engineers responsible for designing, ramping, and sustaining Ciena's flagship WaveLogic™ optical modems. These products enable data rates of up to 1,600 Gbps and are used by many of the world's largest telecommunications companies and cloud providers. In this role, you will help improve product yield, support manufacturing ramp, investigate technical issues, and drive hardware, test, or process changes that improve product quality and manufacturability. This role provides a unique opportunity to develop a deep understanding of WaveLogic optical modems, from product design through manufacturing ramp and volume production. You will gain insight into the processes required to build a high-performance, high-volume product, while making contributions that directly support Ciena's ability to deliver to customers and grow this flagship product line. How You Will Contribute: In this intermediate engineering role, you will support product ramp and sustaining activities, with a focus on yield improvement through test, design, and process improvements. You will combine manufacturing data analysis with hands-on lab debug and cross-functional execution to identify issues, recommend corrective actions, and help drive them to closure. 3Hands-on lab debug: Perform hardware and optical debug of failed modules to identify root cause, validate hypotheses, and define corrective actions using lab measurements and engineering analysis.3 3Yield data analysis: Review large-scale manufacturing and test data to assess design, process, or test changes that improve factory yield. Analyze trends, outliers, and common failure modes, then work with cross-functional teams to define practical corrective actions.3 3Change management: Plan, coordinate, validate, and release design, test, or process change orders that support yield improvement, ramp readiness, product quality, and manufacturability.3 3Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with hardware, optical, firmware, test, reliability, manufacturing, operations, and supplier-facing teams to drive technical issues to closure.3 3Documentation and communication: Summarize data analysis, debug findings, recommendations, validation results, and change plans clearly for technical and program stakeholders.3 The Must Haves: 3Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Engineering Physics, or equivalent.3 32-5 years of experience in hardware engineering, electrical engineering, optical hardware, telecommunications equipment, networking platforms, manufacturing test, or another complex electronic-product environment.3 3Familiarity with product lifecycle stages, including development, qualification, ramp, volume manufacturing, sustaining, field support, or end-of-life.3 3Demonstrated proficiency with statistical analysis techniques such as histogram distributions, Q-Q plots, standard deviation, process capability, Cp, Cpk, or related metrics.3 3Experience using scripting or programming tools such as Python or MATLAB for data analysis, automation, or engineering debug.3 3Ability to work hands-on in a lab environment and interpret electrical, optical, manufacturing, or system-level test results.3 3Strong communication skills, with the ability to present technical findings, trade-offs, and recommendations to cross-functional engineering and program teams.3 Assets: 3Demonstrated interest in prototyping, embedded hardware, hardware bring-up, or lab-based debug projects.3 3Familiarity with coherent optical transceivers, optical modems, DSP-based systems, or high-speed communications hardware.3 3Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing, manufacturing test flows, factory yield analysis, or production data systems.3 3Experience with optical test equipment, electrical test equipment, automated test platforms, reliability qualification testing, failure analysis, or root-cause corrective action processes.3 Salary Range: The annual salary range for this position is $74,200 - $118,400. Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available. Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.

About Ciena

Ciena Corporation is a global supplier of telecommunications networking equipment, software, and services. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Hanover, Maryland. Ciena's products include optical transport and switching systems, software, and services that support the transport, switching, aggregation, and management of voice, video, and data traffic. Ciena serves customers in the telecommunications industry, including telecommunications service providers, cable operators, governments, and enterprises. The company has approximately 7,000 employees worldwide and operates in more than 100 countries.
Learn more about Ciena
Size
7,241 employees
Market Cap
$7.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$354.3 million
Founded
1992
5 Year Trend
+5.3%
Revenue
$3.4 billion
NASDAQ

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